Now we're seeking your help to come up with a fun, festive TWD-themed wine cocktail to feature during the party! We're looking for creative combinations that would wow the crowds on Oct. 22.

Here are the parameters:

• Cocktail must contain at least one of the wines on our Shelby tasting menu (click here to view).

• Cocktail cannot contain any other alcohol.

• Cocktail cannot contain ice (sorry, we don't have an icemaker!).

• Ingredients should be relatively inexpensive and easy to find at your average grocery store (not like, "add one horn of rhinoceros and the skin of a king cobra").

• Cocktail should have a creative, TWD-themed name.

• The contest period runs Wednesday, Sept. 20, through Wednesday, Oct. 4. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, to qualify.

Email ideas to tasting@michiganbythebottle.com with your first and last name, city of residence, the name of your cocktail, and how to make it.

Our tasting room staff will narrow the submissions down to the top three, and Facebook fans will vote on the winner. The winner will receive eternal Facebook glory, an MBTB prize pack and one free pour of their featured cocktail during The Walking Dead Pre-Premiere Party on Oct. 22.

All entrants must be age 21 or older. Entrants can submit as many cocktail ideas as desired. (We reserve the right to use some of the runners' up ideas as well, if we love them that much!)

06/30/2017

Summer is here, but winter is coming! Season 7 of Game of Thrones premieres on HBO on Sunday, July 16, and we're celebrating with our Game of Thrones Pre-Premiere Party the same day, 12-6 p.m., at Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Shelby Township.

Now we're seeking your help to come up with a fun, festive wine cocktail to feature during the party! We're looking for creative combinations that would wow the crowds on July 16.

Here are the parameters:

Cocktail must contain at least one of the wines on our Shelby tasting menu (click here to view).

Cocktail cannot contain any other alcohol.

Ingredients should be relatively inexpensive and easy to find at your average grocery store (not like, "add one horn of rhinoceros and the skin of a king cobra").

Cocktail should have a creative, GoT-themed name.

The contest period runs Friday, June 30, through Friday, July 7. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 7, to qualify.

06/12/2017

Hi, MBTB fans! Cort here, checking in with some news about our Tasting & Tunes Live Music events at our Auburn Hills location.

Since opening MBTB Auburn Hills in July 2016, we've been running our live music 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. At our other two locations, Royal Oak and Shelby Township, we've hosted music on Friday nights, 7-9:30 p.m., and generated a great following — Fridays are often our busiest night of the week.

We decided to divert from the norm and go with Thursdays at Auburn (1) to avoid conflicting with the City of Auburn Hills' Summer Music Series on Friday nights in Riverside Park, right around the corner from us and (2) to offer our regulars who enjoy live music another option if they wanted to attend multiple Tasting & Tunes event in a single week.

Despite the lineup of fantastic performers over the last year (seriously ... you should hear these guys and gals!), Thursday night Tasting & Tunes at MBTB Auburn has never caught on. It's a bummer watching these great musicians perform to sparse crowds when they deserve to have rousing applause!

After much discussion, we have decided to overhaul the music schedule at MBTB Auburn. Here's the scoop:

• Our final Thursday Tasting & Tunes will be June 22. That means our June 15 performance by Remnose and June 22 performance by Dale Wicks will go on as planned.

• After June 22, Auburn's Tasting & Tunes will go on summer hiatus this year until Aug. 25.

• Auburn's Tasting & Tunes will resume on Friday, Aug. 25, with a new date and time: Fridays, 7-9:30 p.m., to align with the Tasting & Tunes Live Music nights at the sister stores, MBTB Royal Oak and MBTB Shelby Township.

• In the meantime, we strongly encourage you check out the City of Auburn Hills' Summer Music Series and head over to MBTB Auburn before and/or after for some wine and snacks! The city's concerts take place in Riverside Park, just a 60-second walk around the block from MBTB Auburn. (Click here for a map.)

Thanks for reading, and hope to see you at our final Thursday night concerts and our Friday night concerts at MBTB Auburn when they resume in mid-August! If you have any questions, please drop us a line.

03/15/2017

We are sad to report that there was a fire in the store next door to our Shelby Township location on the morning of Wednesday, March 15. While our unit did not sustain much fire damage, we did suffer smoke damage. We're currently assessing the extent of that damage and performing repairs. Please keep checking below and checking our Facebook page for updates. We hope to be back in the swing of things soon, and we hope that you will consider visiting us at Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Royal Oak or Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Auburn Hills until we get back on our feet!

UPDATE 8:30 A.M. FRIDAY, MAY 12: Last week, the whole front of house got repainted (whee!) so we are looking pretty snazzy up front. Please pardon our dust as we continue to undergo roof repairs and repairs to our hallway and bathroom. We're also still slowly bringing our retail merchandise area back to full strength. But in terms of wine and snacks, we are fully functional. Cheers!UPDATE 7:30 P.M. MONDAY, APRIL 24: Cort here, checking in with a bit lengthier fire update for all of those wine lovers who are as impatient as we are for us to reopen. There is good news, and there is bad news.

For those who want the cliff's notes version, here it is: We will be open in a limited capacity starting Friday, April 28 at 12 p.m. (Huzzah!)

That means the following events will go on as planned:• Friday, April 28: Tasting & Tunes Live Music with Chris Degnore, 7-9:30 p.m. • Saturday, April 29: Drink Pink Weekend with Verterra Winery, 12-6 p.m.• Sunday, April 30: Last Call Flights for Sipper Club members, 12-6 p.m.

However, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding, as we are still slogging our way through the repair and reimbursement process, and there still is a LOT of work to be done. We will NOT have retail merchandise (shirts, gift bags, wine accessories, etc.) until at least Wednesday, May 3. Our decor will be limited. We will have one bathroom and the hallway is going to look a bit sad.

Any situation that involves multiple parties and insurance and $$$$ is never simple. The full story of why everything is moving sooooooo sloooooow is a long, convoluted and boring one. So let's just sum it up by saying that we were told that our repainting and other repairs would be done April 17-23 ... and they weren't, due to insurance shenanigans. Our front-of-house repainting is now scheduled for May 1-2, which has forced us to cancel May 2 yoga (attendees should have received an email earlier tonight).

Other repairs will take longer, including:• fixing of roof• restoration of destroyed second bathroom• replacement of floor due to water damage• replacement of ceiling tiles due to smoke and water damage

So what we're saying is ... MBTB Shelby will not look quite as "pretty" as you remember, probably not for a few weeks or months, thanks to the fire. But as of April 28, she will be functioning, with the same great wine and the same great team, ready to pour for you.

We appreciate your support and all of the kindness we have received in the weeks since the fire. You guys are the best.

See you soon!

***

Previous updates:

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. Thursday, April 13: At this time, we are still targeting Wednesday, April 26, as our reopening date. In the meantime, please note the following venue changes for our upcoming events:

Sipper Club members, don't forget — your Last Call Flight and birthday flight benefits are good at MBTB Auburn Hills and MBTB Royal Oak, and both of those locations stand at the ready to assist you with your wine needs: 2-9 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday, 12-10 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday. Please note that both locations will be closed for Easter Sunday (April 16).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at tasting@michiganbythebottle.com.

Please stay tuned for more details, and we hope to see you soon!

UPDATE 2:30 P.M. Thursday, April 6: We wish we had better news. While we were hoping to be open by April 12, the stars just don't seem to be aligning based on the domino effect between the various insurance agencies involved and coordinating/approving our repairs. Because we want to make sure that we give all of our guests sufficient notice about venue changes for our events, etc., we are now targeting Wednesday, April 26, for reopening. Of course, this date isn't set in stone; as you can see, we've been terrible thus far about predicting how quickly this process would move. Obviously, it's the first (and hopefully the last) time we've ever been involved in a situation like this. Smoke damage, as it turns out, is far more insidious and complicated than it sounds, and insurance is not a fast-moving process.

We are so looking forward to throwing open our doors again and jumping back behind the bar at Shelby. We miss all of our customers and we miss making you happy with Michigan wine. But rest assured, we WILL be back in action very soon.

In the meantime, please note the following venue changes for our upcoming events:

Sipper Club members, don't forget — your Last Call Flight and birthday flight benefits are good at MBTB Auburn Hills and MBTB Royal Oak, and both of those locations stand at the ready to assist you with your wine needs: 2-9 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday, 12-10 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at tasting@michiganbythebottle.com.

Please stay tuned for more details, and we hope to see you soon!

UPDATE 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1: See previous update for complete details, but we have one more item to add: Our LuLaRoe Pop-Up Boutique, originally scheduled for 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 9, at MBTB Shelby Township, will be moving to 3-5 p.m., Sunday, April 9, at MBTB Auburn Hills. Please note venue AND time change. Hope to see you there!

UPDATE 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 31: Well, MBTB Land, we have good news and we have bad news. The good news is: The bazillion insurance companies involved in this saga have signed off on the full repairs to start. The bad news: It's Friday, so the work won't be starting until Monday, April 3. We've been told that the repainting of our walls and bar, the replacement of our ceiling tiles and the repairs on the roof (so it will stop raining in our back hallway ...) will be done by Sunday, April 9, which would mean that we would be able to reopen for business as usual on Wednesday, April 12. That's our new target date for reopening. Of course, this is all beyond our control, so we will continue to post updates here and on Facebook.

While we're disappointed that we'll have to wait yet another week to see your smiling faces and pour you Michigan wine, we're excited that things are finally progressing and that the end seems to be in sight. If you caught our latest Facebook Live post, the smoke smell has significantly dissipated, so that's very encouraging.

If you're not familiar with our Auburn Hills location, it's not too far away from Shelby! It's just 15-20 minutes down M-59 to North Squirrel. Go south on North Squirrel and we're right at the corner of Auburn Road — you can't miss us. If you need help navigating, we're happy to assist; call us at (248) 564-2134.

Thanks to all for your patience, understanding and kindness. We are impatiently waiting for the chance to jump back behind the bar and serve you once again!

UPDATE 10:05 A.M. 3/28/17: La dee da ... the wheels of post-fire recovery move oh-so-slowly. Right now, we're in a holding pattern as we await various insurance companies' sign offs for the repairs to us and and our neighbors. It appears we will likely be be closed this week (through April 2), but we are very hopeful for next week. (Fingers crossed.) We will be getting new paint, new ceiling tiles and more to freshen everything up post-fire. We kindly ask that you bear with us and pardon our dust, as the repairs to our bathroom and flooring are likely to take a bit longer. We can't wait to reopen and see all of our guests again!

Please note: Due to the continued closure, our Tasting & Tunes Live Music with Sam Van Wagoner on Friday, March 31, 7-9:30 p.m. will be moving to Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Auburn Hills. It's just a hop, skip and a jump down M-59 (at North Squirrel), so we hope to see you there!

Please stay tuned to our website and/or Facebook page for updates. In the meantime, thanks to everyone for the good vibes, kind thoughts and offers of help! We deeply appreciate it, and we look forward to getting back behind the bar very soon.

Lastly, we want to give a shoutout to our neighbors at Slagle Family Wellness Center, which reopened for the first time post-fire yesterday. They are back in business — please drop by and help them get back to normalcy!

UPDATE 4:15 P.M. 3/20/17: We were optimistic that we would be able to get MBTB Shelby aired out and back to normal in time to reopen for our "normal" week on Wednesday, March 22. Unfortunately, due to complications involving the adjacent space (where the fire originated), the smoke smell has persisted and the restoration crew does not anticipate relief for us until later this week. Because of this, we will have to implement several venue changes for events planned at Shelby over the next week:

• Tasting & Tunes: Live Music with George Heritier on Friday, March 24, 7-9:30 p.m., will be moving to Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Auburn Hills.

• The Day the Music Died Tribute Concert with Eric DeLuca on Saturday, March 25, 7-9:30 p.m., is moving to Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Auburn Hills.

• Sunday "Jam" Session with Jamberry Nails on Sunday, March 26, 12:30-2:30 p.m., is moving to Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Auburn Hills.

• Verterra Winery Proprietor's Dinner on Monday, March 27, is moving to Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Royal Oak. (Attendees should have received an email this afternoon with further details.)

Again, we deeply appreciate your continued support and patience during this difficult time. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us. We will continue to update as information becomes available. In the meantime, we hope to see you at MBTB Auburn Hills and/or MBTB Royal Oak.

UPDATE 1:15 P.M. 3/17/17: The restoration crew did a beautiful job of cleaning up our space, but unfortunately, due to the lingering smoke smell and the need to dispose of and restock all of our retail food items, we do not anticipate reopening until Wednesday, March 22. Thank you to all who have been emailing us to express support! We hope to see you at MBTB Royal Oak or MBTB Auburn Hills in the meantime. Don't forget: The March 17 concert with Mark Reitenga will move from Shelby to Auburn Hills, 7-9:30 p.m. All other events scheduled at Royal Oak and Auburn Hills will go on as usual this weekend. We anticipate all upcoming events in Shelby to go on as planned.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M. 3/16/17: We anticipate being closed Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18. We are hopeful we may be able to open in a limited capacity on Sunday, March 19. If not, we will reopen for the week on Wednesday, March 22. Please stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. 3/16/17: Unfortunately, it's still very smoky in the main space, so we will be unable to open tomorrow: Friday, March 17. Our Tasting & Tunes Live Music with Mark Reitenga will be moving from Shelby to our Auburn Hills location on Friday, 7-9:30 p.m. We hope you'll join us over there as we work through repairing the fire damage in Shelby. Cheers!

UPDATE 9:15 A.M. 3/16/17: Restoration crews will be back on the scene this morning, and we'll be assessing the damage today and figuring out whether we can open tomorrow. Stay tuned for details! We want to give a big thanks to Sarah Wojcik from C & G Newspapers / Shelby-Utica News for the coverage of the fire, which you can read here.

UPDATE 5:15 P.M. 3/15/17: Based on the strong smoke smell and the extent of the damage, we will be closed on Thursday, March 16. Restoration crews are on the scene and working hard, and we are hopeful that we will be able to reopen by Friday, March 17, or Saturday, March 18. If we cannot open on Friday, March 17, our regularly scheduled Tasting & Tunes Live Music with Mark Reitenga will move to our Auburn Hills location. We will continue to update on our Facebook page. Thanks to all for the support!

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. 3/15/17: We will be closed Wednesday, March 15.

We are sad to report that there was a fire in the store next door to our Shelby Township location on the morning of Wednesday, March 15. Luckily, we and most of our neighboring businesses were closed at the time, and no one was injured in the blaze. While our unit did not sustain much fire damage, we did suffer smoke damage. We're currently assessing the extent of that damage and performing repairs.

Our hearts go out to our neighbors at Silent Scope Firearms, where the fire started. We also want to thank our kind neighbors at The Clean Plate for notifying us about the fire, and the Shelby Township Fire Department for their hard work, quick action and kindness. Lastly, much appreciation to our "regulars," Sipper Club members and even complete strangers who have reached out to offer support and assistance during this time.

02/10/2017

SPOILER ALERT! This article contains details from the first half of "The Walking Dead" Season 7 — if you're not caught up, read at your own risk!

Three months ago, bemoaning the lengthy delay before the return of "Game of Thrones" and searching for another show to binge watch, I reluctantly tried the much-lauded "The Walking Dead." I slogged through the first few episodes — cringing with every squishing sound, as knives and axes and other sharp objects were buried in the heads of the walkers — and then, suddenly, I was hopelessly, irrevocably hooked. Shannon and I greedily binged our way through six and a half seasons ... and now we have to wait, with everyone else.

On Feb. 12, the second half of the season begins, and I'll be ready, Michigan wine in hand. The question is, what will I be drinking? And what will YOU be drinking? Here are a few ideas, based on your character preferences ...

If your favorite character is Rick . . . In the Season 7 premiere, Rick imagined an alternate reality in which all of the characters were unscathed and intact, sitting around a picnic table, passing food, laughing, chatting, bouncing their children on their knees, without a care in the world. To continue this fantasy, we think Rick would enjoy Chateau de Leelanau Solem Farm Red(MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby, $20/bottle). Described by the winemaker as a "backyard BBQ red," this casual wine has a hint of sweetness and spice that makes it great for kicking back with friends at a summer picnic . . . even if it's only in your delusional daydream. Another option for Rick: Verterra Winery Chaos Red Cuvée(MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby, $19/bottle). Rick has led his crew through endless chaos, both zombie- and human-fueled, and his personality is about as rare as the Michigan-grown Malbec included in this fruit-forward dry red blend.

If your favorite character is Daryl. . . Our favorite badass-meets-sensitive soul . . . With his ubiquitous motorcycle, we can picture him throwing back Peninsula Cellars Hot Rod Cherry (MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby, $15.99/bottle). This sweet, high-octane blend of Montmorency and Balaton cherries has a hint of ginger spice, and it has a memorable bottle to boot, emblazoned with flames. We can just picture Daryl riding a matching flame-adorned motorcycle in the pre- (or perhaps post-?) apocalyptic world.

If your favorite character is Michonne. . . This katana-wielding warrior takes no prisoners, and she's risen from a reluctant addition to the group to one of its cherished leaders. She makes us think of Chateau Aeronautique Aviatrix Crimson (MBTB Royal Oak, Shelby Township and Auburn Hills, $29.95/bottle). The name refers to a female aviator, and this Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is bold, like Michonne. We could see her kicking back with this one in those briefly glimpsed pre-zombie flashbacks, where she demonstrated an affinity for wine.

If your favorite character is Maggie. . . Even after losing everyone she loves — including her father, sister and husband — to the human element of the zombie apocalypse, Maggie continues to persevere with class and sass. Her triumphant apple pie-fueled revelry after using a tractor to defend Hilltop against a mob of walkers, paired with her girl-next-store, farm-raised goodness, makes us think of Left Foot Charley Cinnamon Girl (MBTB Auburn Hills, $8/bottle). This blend of Northern Michigan apples, steeped with whole cinnamon sticks, is like apple pie in a glass.

If your favorite character is Carol. . . As she proved while pretending to be a happy housewife in the early days of Alexandria, Carol can be downright smooth . . . but she also has bite and grit ("Just look at the flowers . . .") and she's incredibly complicated. She reminds us of Chateau Aeronautique Syrah (MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby Township, $24.95/bottle). It's complex and spicy, with notes of black pepper, black licorice, black plum and black cherry. We'll raise a glass of it in hopes that Carol's former kickass self will be returning in the midseason premiere.

If your favorite character is Sasha . . . Sasha's had it hard, thanks to the back-to-back deaths of boyfriend Bob and brother Tyreese (not to mention countless other friends). Over the years, she's evolved from fairly nondescript to a stone-cold soldier with a death wish. If she were drinking, we think she'd be hitting the hard stuff . . . which is why we'd recommend Sandhill Crane Vineyards 840 (MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby Township, $48.40/bottle). Fortified with brandy for a warming kick, this port-style wine has aromas of vanilla, caramel and burnt sugar, with ripe plum, fig, sweet tobacco and vanilla on the palate. Bonus: It would pair perfectly with one of Abraham's remaining cigars.

If your favorite character is Eugene . . . Everyone knows that Eugene wouldn't be alive if he hadn't had the gang protecting him over the years. He's sweet — a big fat liar, but still sweet — and delicate, while still having enough acid to stand up to Abraham and Rosita (at least, every once in awhile). We'd pair him with Marland Late Harvest Riesling (MBTB Auburn Hills, $19/bottle). This Riesling has a fragrant nose of fresh peach, white flowers and ripe apples, with undertones of apricot and orange, and its sweetness is balanced out with acidity. Here's to hoping Eugene taps into a little more of that acid now that he's one of Negan's hostages.

If your favorite character is Rosita. . . Rosita is a feisty firecracker; Verterra Winery Chaos Sparkler (MBTB Shelby Township and Royal Oak, $24/bottle) reminds us of her spark and spunk. This demi-sec sparkling wine has notes of pear and apple and acidity that makes the fruit pop. We can see her raising a glass of bubbly after she finally avenges her former flame — you know that's coming. Let's hope the next attempt goes better than the botched one at Alexandria.

If your favorite character is Tara . . . Tara's girlfriend, Denise, took an arrow to the eye while scavenging pop for her, so we think Tara would be craving something refreshing and carbonated ... like Chateau de Leelanau Cherry Bay Cider (MBTB Royal Oak, $24/growler). Made with Northern Michigan apples and cherries, this hard cider is simultaneously sweet and tart, and refreshing for those hot days bumbling through rival seaside settlements.

If your favorite character is Negan. . . Even after he bashes in Glenn's and Abraham's heads? Really? What's wrong with you? Kidding — it's hard not to laugh at the show's resident wise-cracking psychopath, even if he's putting down half the population of Alexandria in between quips. Unfortunately for Negan, we don't carry any liquor, but we do think he'd be a fan of Mackinaw Trail Winery Unrestricted Cuvée No. 7 (MBTB Auburn Hills, $38/bottle). This barrel-aged blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot has notes of blackberry, plum and beechwood. It's deep and it's rich, and we all know Negan is a fan of the finer things in life, especially when someone else is scavenging it for him. But whatever wine he gets, it better be plentiful, because LUCILLE IS THIRSTY!

If your favorite character is Enid. . . Carl's sidekick is constantly sneaking off, disobeying authority and generally being a defiant teenager . . . in between helping save the lives her cohorts, that is. In a pre-zombie world of rules and adult oversight, we think she'd often find herself in (Peninsula Cellars) Detention (MBTB Royal Oak and Shelby Township, $15.99/bottle). This blend of Baco Noir, Lemberger and Cabernet Franc is a mixed berry bombshell on the palate, and is best sipped while getting into trouble.

If your favorite character is Carl . . . may I suggest a nice glass of Boone's Farm?

Can't pick a favorite character? Sandhill Crane Vineyards Night of the Living Red (MBTB Royal Oak, $17.95/bottle) or Revenge of the Living Red(MBTB Shelby Township, $18.95/bottle) will do just fine . . . for obvious reasons. The name says it all. Both are semi-sweet reds spiced with vanilla, orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Revenge kicks it up a notch with infused estate-grown hot peppers. Bonus: The creepy label art pairs perfectly with the squishing of zombie brains.

Article by Cortney Casey, Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room/MichiganByTheBottle.com. We strive to be your definitive source of information on Michigan wines; therefore, we welcome you to link to this page or print an excerpt that leads back to our site. However, as our work is copyrighted, we kindly ask that you do not copy and paste this or any other portion of Michigan By the Bottle in its entirety on another site. We appreciate your cooperation. For reprint inquiries, please email wine@michiganbythebottle.com.

04/23/2016

When Shannon first urged me to watch "Game of Thrones" earlier this year, I balked, citing dragons, castles, swords, potential magic, violence and a whole bunch of other things I thought I didn't like.

Turns out, I still have to watch with my hands splayed in front of my face during the violent scenes ("Tell me when it's safe to look!"), but otherwise, I'm now obsessed with this show on a level that's bordering on unhealthy. We binge watched the first five seasons in record time; now, we're counting down to the Season 6 premiere on April 24.

Of course, that begs the question, which wine to drink while watching? For all of you fellow GoT fans, here's my MBTB Tasting Room guide to choosing a libation for the occasion.

— Cort

If you're a fan of House Stark ...Domaine Berrien Cellars Wolf's Prairie Red $14, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak Because the Stark sigil is a dire wolf, duh. This softer red has fruity aromas with campfire smokiness, dark cherry, plum and spice on the palate, and a lingering finish.

If you're a fan of Tyrion Lannister ...Chateau Aeronautique Naked Chardonnay$19.95, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak This wine makes us think of Tyrion in his good ol' days, when he was carefree and cavorting with ladies of the night. Perhaps he would use this pleasant summer sipper to woo them? It has a golden apple nose and flavors of underripe peach, orange peel and fresh cantaloupe, with flinty minerality.

If you're a fan of Cersei Lannister ...Sandhill Crane Vineyards Revenge of the Living Red$17.95, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak The name says it all: Cersei is undoubtedly going to unleash her wrath on the High Sparrow and his minions in Season 6 as she seeks revenge for the imprisonment and "walk of shame" she endured last season. This semi-sweet red is spiced with cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, nutmeg and vanilla and infused with estate-grown hot peppers for an extra kick. Though revenge is a dish best served cold, this wine is particularly tasty when warmed up in the crockpot, a la a mulled wine.

If you're a fan of Jaime Lannister ...Chateau Aeronautique Aviatrix Passion$16.95, available at MBTB ShelbyThe object of his affection is beyond unfortunate ... but you can't dispute the depth of his passion. This Late Harvest Vidal Blanc is infused with cranberry for tantalizing tartness and flirty sweetness.

If you're a fan of Daenerys Targaryen ...Domaine Berrien Cellars White Satin$13, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak Daenerys' silky, white-blonde hair immediately made us think of this wine, which is a satiny smooth semi-sweet blend of Seyval Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

If you're a fan of Jorah Mormont ...Chateau de Leelanau Muse$30, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak The Mother of Dragons has been a muse for poor, lovesick Jorah Mormont since Season 1. Will this guy's determination to prove his devotion ever get him any love from Daenerys? Seeing as it's "Game of Thrones," we highly doubt it. This lightly sweet, lightly sparkling wine is delicate and bright, just like Jorah's muse.

If you're a fan of Littlefinger ...Verterra Winery Chaos White Cuvee$16, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal OakLittlefinger's entire life revolves around stirring the pot for his own selfish pursuits, leaving ruin in his wake. He's got a stone cold heart (except when it comes to Catelyn Stark, that is), a sharp wit and an acid tongue. For Littlefinger, the Chaos White seems appropriate. This semi-dry white blend has apricot, apple and minerality on the nose, with ripe fruit flavors and nice acidity.

If you're a fan of Jon Snow ...Chateau Aeronautique Vidal Blanc Ice Wine$44.95, available at MBTB ShelbyAlive? Dead? All we know is this dude has not gotten to spend any time in the sun for this entire series — hence the ICE wine. This delicious dessert wine is made in the traditional ice wine style and is bursting with tropical fruit flavors. (You know, the kinds of tropical fruit Jon will likely never taste in person.)

If you're a fan of Margaery and House Tyrell ...Verterra Winery Rosé of Pinot Noir$19, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak Light and luminous, like Margaery — and also, one accent mark away from matching the Tyrells' sigil, the rose. This dry rosé is vibrant and juicy fruit on the palate, with strawberries and cherries on the nose and a smooth, dry finish.

If you're a fan of Melisandre, the red priestess ...Verterra Winery Chaos Red Cuvee2013 vintage, $17, available at MBTB Royal Oak2014 vintage, $19, available at MBTB ShelbyOh, that Melisandre, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. Chaos Red is a natural fit for her. This medium-bodied red blend is full of berry flavors with a subtle oak undertone and light tannins. The 2013 vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Pinot Noir, with a little bit of sweetness; the 2014 vintage is drier, comprised mostly of Merlot and Malbec.

If you're a fan of Joffrey ...Chateau Aeronautique Aviatrix Crimson$29.95, available at MBTB Shelby & MBTB Royal Oak Yeah, yeah, we know, he's long dead, but we miss hating him. Crimson seems appropriate, since he pretty much left the streets stained with blood wherever he went. This big Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon has rich red and black fruit on the palate with French oak influence.

If you're a fan of Brienne of Tarth ...Peninsula Cellars Old School White$16.99, available at MBTB ShelbyBrienne's undying loyalty to her masters (for as long as they're alive, that is) is totally old school. And her beyond-pale complexion pointed us toward OS White vs. OS Red. This semi-sweet white blend of Cayuga, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Grigio is light, bright, and fruity.

01/01/2016

Earlier this year, Ryan and Kris Sterkenburg, the owners of Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery, sold their property to a farm market and yak/alpaca farm so they could retire from the wine business.

It has been a bittersweet time for us. We've known for quite awhile that the Sterkenburgs have been looking to move on from the industry, but we have enjoyed working with them and serving/selling their wines. They have been one of our partner wineries at both of our locations since day one, and we've appreciated their faith and confidence in us serving as "ambassadors" for their wines. Their partnership over the last few years has helped MBTB Tasting Room become what it is today, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors. While we are sorry to bid farewell to Gill's Pier, we are also excited for the new opportunity ahead.

In November, we brought Verterra Winery, one of our Royal Oak partner wineries, on board in Shelby to take Gill's Pier's place there. And, at long last, we're finally ready to announce our new partner winery at Royal Oak: Bel Lago Winery!

Bel Lago, based on the Leelanau Peninsula, was founded in 1987 by Domenic, Ruth, and Amy Iezzoni and Charles Edson, and its wines are made from grapes grown in family-owned vineyards overlooking Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan.

As the owners state: "The emphasis at Bel Lago has been on quality, with an unwavering commitment to excellence. We are winegrowers, and believe firmly, the old adage 'the wines are made in the vineyard.' Bel Lago wines are based on the production of quality fruit from select clones of a very unique varietals mix."

The winery is widely known for its superb Pinot Noirs, along with an impressive lineup of other reds, whites and sparkling wines.

Winemaker Charlie Edson is a delightful guy who speaks passionately about winemaking — we can't wait to bring him in for our Bel Lago Winemaker's Dinner on Monday, Feb. 29, so you can meet him! We'll be pairing up his wines with a six-course meal by Chef Chris Franz of The Rattlesnake Club; registration opens soon.

We plan to add Bel Lago to our retail shelves and tasting menu effective Feb. 1. Until then, Gill's Pier's wines will still be available, so it's your final few weeks to stock up!

11/24/2015

We're excited to be holding our first-ever Festival of Trees, Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 13. This event features a silent auction of miniature (2-foot) Christmas trees, each decorated by one of our MBTB team members. The decorators chose nonprofits near and dear to their hearts to benefit from sales of the trees.

Any time during our regular business hours, stop by to view and/or bid on the trees. Bids must be submitted in person. Bidding closes at the end of the business day Dec. 13. The highest bidder will be notified via email Dec. 14, and winners can begin picking up their trees on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

You can scroll down to view photos of the trees and more information about them. Any questions, please email us. Happy bidding, and happy holidays!

SHELBY TOWNSHIPClick on the photos to view larger

Tree #S-1Name: Home is Where the Cookies AreDecorator: Cortney C.Benefitting Organization: Macomb County Habitat for HumanityAdditional Info: Having worked as a reporter for more than a decade, I often found myself writing about Habitat for Humanity and the great work they do helping families in need establish their own homes through "sweat equity" and no-interest mortgages. The joy on the families' faces as they took possession of their very own homes is something I'll never forget. Tree Components: Plug-in white lights, red plastic measuring spoons, holiday spatula, red and green jingle bells, metal cookie cutters, silver garland, handmade cable knit scarf as a tree skirt

Tree #S-2Name: Home for the HolidaysDecorator: Kathy M. (Murph)Benefitting Organization: Ronald McDonald House

Daniel

Additional Info: In 2010, my nephew Daniel had heart surgery, and my brother and sister-in-law were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald house to be near their son. They did not have to worry about driving back and forth from their home or a hotel. A family is stronger when they can be together. By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, my brother could better communicate with Daniel's medical team and keep up with complicated treatment plans when needed. They were able to focus on Daniel and his care, rather than grocery shopping, cleaning or cooking meals. Daniel did not recover from his surgery and he’s been watching over us all since May of 2010.

Charlie

Since this time, my brother and his family have been collecting can tabs and spreading the word for others to help collecting as well. (Even the bear under the tree is helping out!) Each year, between $8,000 and $10,000 from these tabs collected throughout the community helps with their operating expenses. One million of these pop tabs provides a night's lodging for 25 families. (Photo at left: My nephew Charlie collecting tabs! He takes it seriously! Not easy for this jokester!) Did you know? • RMHC has local Chapters in more than 60 countries and regions around the world• More than $200 million has been collected through RMHC Donation Boxes• At least one RMHC core program provides care for children and their families being served at 89% of the top children’s hospitals worldwide• In 2014, RMHC served nearly 5.7 million children and families. Tree Components: Battery powered multi-colored lights, glass ornaments, red garland, decorative clothespins, tree skirt, stuffed bear

Tree #S-3Name:Dreaming of a Wild ChristmasDecorator: Kathy M. (Murph)Benefitting Organization: Detroit Zoo FundAdditional Info: I have such great memories of the Detroit Zoo. My Grandma Murphy worked there for years and my other grandparents lived less than a mile away. You could see the water tower from their backyard. So as a young kid, I was at the zoo quite often. So many wonderful wild animals call the zoo home and give us the opportunity to see animals we normally wouldn’t see. (Did you know you can feed the giraffes?) The Detroit Zoo Fund support has helped provide emergency care and sanctuary for more than 1,000 rescued animals — from lemurs and coatis rescued locally, to turtles and tortoises destined for the pet trade. Continuing support to the Detroit Zoo Fund helps us conserve and protect some of the most amazing creatures on earth. Now that I am older, there are also so many cool events for adults that it has rekindled my love for the zoo. The exhibits have changed over the years but that fountain still remains the same. Have you had your picture taken in front of the fountain? If not, you should definitely visit the zoo and take that photo!! I did! (Some familiar faces in there too!)Tree components: Battery powered white twinkling lights, plastic bulbs, tree skirt glass ornaments and other added decorations

Tree #S-4Name:Snowman DreamsDecorator:Maria R.Benefitting Organization: St. Baldrick's FoundationAdditional Info: Having spent my professional career working with children, charities benefitting youth are close to my heart. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is the largest private (non-government) funder of childhood cancer research grants. This tree is decorated in support of the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving fundraiser, held each spring in Romeo.Tree Components: White plug-in lights, black/red/white ornaments

Tree #S-5Name: Peppermint SnowflakesDecorator:Maria R.Benefitting Organization: Hemophilia Foundation of MichiganAdditional Info: Having spent my professional career working with children, charities benefitting youth are close to my heart. The Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (HFM) strives to improve the quality of life for all people affected by hemophilia and other coagulation disorders. The foundation holds an annual fundraiser, Walkin' on the Wild Side for Hemophilia, at the Detroit Zoo. This tree is decorated in support of Dylan's Demons, a large team of supporters of the walk each year.Tree components: White plug-in lights, red/white ornamentsTree #S-6Name: Go Green, GLOW WhiteDecorator:Linda M.Benefitting Organization: Kisses for KatieAdditional Info: A pure celebration of the 2015 Michigan State Spartan football season! Proceeds go to Kisses for Katie. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to raise the necessary funds for care of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients and to educate the public on this genetic disorder. EB is a rare disease that causes the skin to blister. Blisters are a reaction to slight friction, heat, rubbing and scratching — especially on the constant use of hands and feet — and may occur inside the body, lining of the mouth and intestines. EB has no cure. The incidence is 20 to 1,000,000 newborns in the U.S. Children with EB are sometimes referred to as "the butterfly children," because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. My cousin Katie was born with EB. She has struggled every day with this disease. Surgery, procedures, pain, bandages. She and her family struggle daily, but reach out to other EB patients and families, providing assistance and education.Tree Components: Plug-in white lights, handmade cloth decoupaged MSU ornaments, handmade beaded cork ornaments

Tree #S-7Name: GLOW Green, Go WhiteDecorator:Linda M.Benefitting Organization: Kisses for KatieAdditional Info: A pure celebration of the 2015 Michigan State Spartan football season! Proceeds go to Kisses for Katie. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to raise the necessary funds for care of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients and to educate the public on this genetic disorder. EB is a rare disease that causes the skin to blister. Blisters are a reaction to slight friction, heat, rubbing and scratching — especially on the constant use of hands and feet — and may occur inside the body, lining of the mouth and intestines. EB has no cure. The incidence is 20 to 1,000,000 newborns in the U.S. Children with EB are sometimes referred to as "the butterfly children," because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. My cousin Katie was born with EB. She has struggled every day with this disease. Surgery, procedures, pain, bandages. She and her family struggle daily, but reach out to other EB patients and families, providing assistance and education.Tree Components: Plug-in green lights, handmade cloth decoupaged MSU ornaments, handmade glittered cork ornaments

Tree #S-8Name:A Stitch in TimeDecorator:Linda M.Benefitting Organization: Kisses for KatieAdditional Info: Proceeds go to Kisses for Katie. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to raise the necessary funds for care of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients and to educate the public on this genetic disorder. EB is a rare disease that causes the skin to blister. Blisters are a reaction to slight friction, heat, rubbing and scratching — especially on the constant use of hands and feet — and may occur inside the body, lining of the mouth and intestines. EB has no cure. The incidence is 20 to 1,000,000 newborns in the U.S. Children with EB are sometimes referred to as "the butterfly children," because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. My cousin Katie was born with EB. She has struggled every day with this disease. Surgery, procedures, pain, bandages. She and her family struggle daily, but reach out to other EB patients and families, providing assistance and education.Tree Components: Plug-in multi-color lights, handmade sparkle cork ornaments, handmade beaded cork ornaments, handmade glittered cork ornaments, hand-strung cranberry and popcorn garland

Tree #S-9Name: O Christmas TreeDecorator: Linda M.Benefitting Organization: Kisses for KatieAdditional Info: As the song from 1824 says: "O Christmas Tree, your branches green delight us! They are green when summer days are bright; they are green when winter snow is white." Proceeds go to Kisses for Katie. The purpose of this nonprofit organization is to raise the necessary funds for care of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients and to educate the public on this genetic disorder. EB is a rare disease that causes the skin to blister. Blisters are a reaction to slight friction, heat, rubbing and scratching — especially on the constant use of hands and feet — and may occur inside the body, lining of the mouth and intestines. EB has no cure. The incidence is 20 to 1,000,000 newborns in the U.S. Children with EB are sometimes referred to as "the butterfly children," because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. My cousin Katie was born with EB. She has struggled every day with this disease. Surgery, procedures, pain, bandages. She and her family struggle daily, but reach out to other EB patients and families, providing assistance and education.Tree Components: Plug-in multi-color lights, beaded paperclip ornaments, green tree cork ornaments, strands of white and gold beads

Tree #S-10Name:Merry (Frozen) Christmas from ArendelleDecorator:Rochele J.Benefitting Organization: American Cancer Society/Relay for Life of Roseville-Eastpointe/Team Renegade RelativesAdditional Info: Unfortunately, cancer has affected every one of us in some way, shape or form whether it is a family member or friend. Every year my family gets together to participate in Relay for Life to help raise money for the American Cancer Society to help find a cure to celebrating more birthdays. When it came time for me to find a theme for my tree I decided to ask my daughter for her ideas. "Mommy, I think you should make a 'Frozen' tree," she said. Since the movie is so familiar to so many people young and old, I said, "Well, why not?" Plus, how could I say no to that sweet little face? "Frozen" it is!Tree Components: Plug in lights, "Frozen" themed ornaments, ribbon, bulbs

ROYAL OAKClick on the photos to view larger

Tree #R-1Name: I Love Wine. I Love to Read.Decorator: Jennifer B.Benefitting Organization: Oakland Literacy CouncilAdditional Info: I love to read — always have, always will. I've turned to books for insight, comfort, escape, enjoyment and wisdom for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite parts of my job at MBTB is running the book club; I love choosing the books and engaging people in conversations and hearing what my fellow readers are thinking. Oakland Literacy Council provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults in Oakland County with literacy needs, where 13-15% of adults are illiterate. I believe that, indeed, "there is no greater gift than passing on the ability to read and understand the written word," and I'm supporting the Council's work to enable others to find the same joy in reading that I do. Tree Components: Plug-in white lights, gold garland, ornament-themed wine charms, wine stopper, book-themed ornaments

Tree #R-2Name: Kickin’ Crohn’s & Colitis’ ButtDecorator: Krystal T.Benefitting Organization: Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of AmericaAdditional Info: My brother, Brett, has been battling Crohn’s Disease (symbolized with purple ribbons) since he was 10 years old; he is now 25 years old. This disease is debilitating on any individual and it is only because of very strong medication and bi-weekly shots (that run the risk of tuberculosis and cancer) that my brother is able to live a somewhat normal life and look the healthiest he has in many years. My heart breaks when he is in pain and I wanted to honor his daily struggle with this organization that does not always get the recognition it deserves.Tree Components:Plug-in white/clear lights; purple, silver and gold bulb ornaments; purple star tree topper; purple tree skirt

Tree#R-3Name: Goin' Nuts Over ChristmasDecorator: Krystal T.Benefitting Organization: Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)Additional Info: I have had a peanut and legume allergy (amongst many others) since I was 2-years old. I am so very thankful to my mom for spending hours at the grocery store with me, teaching me how to read nutrition labels and finding foods for me to eat so I never felt left out. I am also grateful to FARE for sending out email alerts when products have been recalled for allergens and for the numerous kids newsletters sent my way as a child, letting me know I wasn’t alone in this struggle. I can only hope that one day there is a cure so that the 15 million Americans with food allergies can go on and lead normal lives one day and that my children do not inherit my many allergies.Tree Components: Plug-in white / clear lights; three (3) Hallmark miniature Peanuts ornaments (includes original boxes); teal and silver bulb ornaments; teal battery-operated star tree topper; teal sequin tree skirt

Tree #R-4Name: Lights & LacesDecorator: Cortney C.Benefitting Organization: Girls on the Run of Greater DetroitAdditional Info: Discovering running is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It helps me stay healthy, it's a great motivator to challenge myself, it's a hobby I can do with my dad, it's a stress reliever, it's a great way to spend time outside — the benefits are endless. My only regret is that I didn't discover running sooner. Girls on the Run helps young girls do that while giving them confidence and building their self-esteem. Tree Components: Plug-in multi-colored lights, colored shoelaces, silver shoe charms, running buttons, multi-colored bulb ornaments

Tree #R-5Name: Blue ChristmasDecorator: Cortney C.Benefitting Organization: Michigan Institute of Urology-Men's Health FoundationAdditional Info: As the daughter of a prostate cancer survivor, I wanted to honor my dad with this tree, all decked out in blue, the color of the prostate cancer awareness ribbon. Every June, we run together in the MIU Men's Health Foundation's Run for the Ribbon, a 5K race at the Detroit Zoo to raise funds for prostate cancer research and care, which is where proceeds from this tree will go.Tree Components: Battery powered blue lights, blue ornaments, silver ornaments, blue star garland, silver snowflake frame ornament

Tree #R-6Name: Rescue Me, Take Me In Your Arms (as sung by Aretha Franklin)Decorator: Jan V.Benefitting Organization: SAFARI(Special Animal Friends and Rescue, Inc.)Additional Info: I have an endless passion for animals, particularly dogs. It sickens me to see and hear how many innocent animals suffer daily due to neglect and/or physical harm. Animals just want to be loved, unconditionally. Our shelters are over-crowed with these loving, unwanted creatures who deserve a second chance at life. A simple scratch behind the ears, food, water and perhaps a few walks around the block, and you will have a new best friend for life! Realizing that not every home is a good match, there are also opportunities to volunteer your services to help bring a little joy to our furry friends this holiday season.Tree Components: Battery powered multi-colored lights, "Best Friends" ornaments, "Believe in Miracles" ornaments and other dog-related decor

11/04/2015

Black Friday is one of our favorite days of the year! We love the festive vibe and the excitement of all of the sales. We see a great mix of guests: people who are just starting their shopping, people who already finished their shopping at the crack of dawn, and people who wouldn't be caught dead at the stores on Black Friday usually, but make an exception for us!

If you haven't joined us in the past, we hope you'll be able to this year!

Check out the digital sales flyers below for a look at our freebies, sales and specials. (Click on the images to view larger.) And pick up a print version in-store to get a special coupon!

Shelby Township Black Friday Flyer:

Royal Oak Black Friday Flyer:

The fun doesn't end Friday: Join us for our Small Business Saturday Customer Appreciation Day on Nov. 28 for more freebies and deals!

10/29/2015

Earlier this year, Ryan and Kris Sterkenburg, the owners of Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery, sold their property to a farm market and yak/alpaca farm so they could retire from the wine business.

It has been a bittersweet time for us. We've known for quite awhile that the Sterkenburgs have been looking to move on from the industry, but we have enjoyed working with them and serving/selling their wines. They have been one of our partner wineries at both of our locations since day one, and we've appreciated their faith and confidence in us serving as "ambassadors" for their wines. Their partnership over the last few years has helped MBTB Tasting Room become what it is today, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

While we are sorry to bid farewell to Gill's Pier, we are also excited for the new opportunity ahead. And we are thrilled to announce, at long last, the new partner winery taking Gill's Pier's place at our Shelby Township location: Verterra Winery!

Verterra has been a partner winery at our Royal Oak location since we opened there in December 2014. It is based on Leelanau Peninsula, in northwestern Michigan, with a tasting room in downtown Leland (Fishtown) and a trio of vineyards elsewhere on the peninsula.

Like many winery owners, the Hamelin and Telgard families were inspired by a simple love of wine, and the realization that they could produce world-class wines close to home.

Since the launch in Royal Oak, we've had many requests to bring Verterra's products to our Shelby store, and we're eager to add their selection of reds, whites and hard ciders to our Shelby lineup.

We plan to transition over to Verterra at Shelby as of Tuesday, Dec. 1. In anticipation of this changeover, we're hosting a welcome party exclusively for our Sipper Club members on Monday, Nov. 30, featuring Verterra co-owner Paul Hamelin and free wine pours that showcase Verterra's wine lineup. (Members: Get more information here.)

We also will be hosting a Verterra Winery Proprietor's Dinner in January 2016, featuring Paul Hamelin and Chef Chris Franz of The Rattlesnake Club. Registration will be opening soon — stay tuned for details!

We plan to shift our inventory of Gill's Pier wine over to our Royal Oak store as of Dec. 1. However, Shelby customers will still be able to order GP wine to be delivered to Shelby for pickup while supplies last. (Just Unleashed and Whitewater are gone forever, but we still have a supply of Riesling, Royce, Icebox Apple, Cheerio Cherry and Cab Franc/Merlot.)

We intend to announce our new partner winery at our Royal Oak (which will be a winery we've never partnered with before!) later this year, with the changeover occurring by Jan. 1.

We look forward to the next chapter for MBTB Tasting Room and hope you will join us in welcoming Verterra to the Eastside!